It's time to start digging up those Squirrelled Nuts!!!!

Sea_Shell

After 12 weeks shielding...what then?  Another 12 weeks?

I believe that this virus will be circulating for a very long time (indefinitely).  We can only hope for an effective vaccine or treatments.

Without that, even at risk groups may just decide to take their chances and get on living... especially if the rest of society is moving on with their lives.

Life is full of risks and we all make, often unconscious, decisions about which we are willing to take on a daily basis.

jonnygee2

After 12 weeks shielding...what then?  Another 12 weeks?

The virus will run indefinitely but several countries have shown it is possible to beat it in effect, with a strong contact tracing and testing program. 

The problem is that the UK isn't nearly there yet. We dealt with it far worse than other countries initially, and our infection and death numbers are still quite high. Despite several weeks to plan our government has produced no solid plan or infrastructure for contact tracing yet beyond a few loose platitudes. Even if we did have contact tracing, the overall infection rate is probably too high for contact tracing here - the number of active cases is still rising.

I still think we are at a point where we have to wait in the UK, certainly before vulnerable people stop shielding. We are a long way from, say, the situation in China and Germany where the virus can be kept under control

Thrugelmir

jonnygee2 said:

After 12 weeks shielding...what then?  Another 12 weeks?

I still think we are at a point where we have to wait in the UK, certainly before vulnerable people stop shielding. We are a long way from, say, the situation in China and Germany where the virus can be kept under control

In Germany it's under constant review not under control. Even the slight easing in restrictions increased the R recently. 

enthusiasticsaver

Sea_Shell said:

Right....who's up for some UNLIMITED exercise today!!!!      

Maybe I'll JOG to Cornwall....that'll confuse the locals!!;)

LOL.  As a Cornwall resident please do not do that.  Nothing is open anyway.  My ears pricked up when I heard that we could now drive for exercise (  I think that was allowed before actually) as I walk the South West coast path a lot normally (on my own and with walking groups which are obviously not happening at the moment).  I actually think it would be daft to do that though as there actually is loads more cars on the road this week than last so I think some people are travelling here and the coast path is narrow so social distancing is not easy. 

I do not understand why I cannot sit in my garden with one friend or one family member rather than walking to a park and sitting on a maybe contaminated park bench and avoid everyone else. We are now starting to use common sense rather than following the rules to a T and I think many others are doing the same.  My daughter and her husband have been struggling to work from home with demanding jobs ( telephone calls, zoom meetings, reports  etc)  whilst also looking after their 2 year old and 4 year old daughters. They are often still trying to catch up at 10pm and getting up early before the kids are awake. We live less than 5 minutes away from them and have been saying we would be happy to look after our granddaughters (as we were doing prior to lockdown) but they have been sticking to the rules and trying to muddle through .  This week after the incoherent and possibly dangerous easing of the restrictions they broke the lockdown and let us have the children (with provisos of handwashing on arrival and departure) and my daughter and son in law leaving them at the door as she said there is no way the girls are going to a childminders (which is now allowed)  who is possibly exposed to the virus through family and other children rather than come to us who are healthy, under 70 and have been almost completely socially isolating.  Same goes for nursery which opens 1st June and she says they will not be going on that date until we see the death figures reduce further.  We reduce our exposure by getting online or click and collect food deliveries (not been in a supermarket in months) and all my exercise is in the fields and lanes near our house with no one else in site and I use sanitiser after using gates and stiles. 

I think the easing of restrictions is all about getting the economy moving again and nothing to do with safety of people.  I would hate to  be in the position of having to work in London and using public transport. 

Anonymous101

Agreed. I think due to the level of infections we've seen here the most likely scenario is that it becomes endemic. Which is fine if you're fit and healthy, think heard immunity, but perhaps not if you're one of the unlucky ones in a risk group.

enthusiasticsaver

Sea_Shell said:

After 12 weeks shielding...what then?  Another 12 weeks?

I believe that this virus will be circulating for a very long time (indefinitely).  We can only hope for an effective vaccine or treatments.

Without that, even at risk groups may just decide to take their chances and get on living... especially if the rest of society is moving on with their lives.

Life is full of risks and we all make, often unconscious, decisions about which we are willing to take on a daily basis.

I think this is the only way forward.  We each take personal responsibility and risk assess according to our circumstances.  Having said that we speak from a privileged position being retired on a defined pension, in an area of the country with low infection rates (at the moment anyway) and not being in a vulnerable group. I will not be visiting garden centres, shops or travelling to beauty stops as although nice to do they aren't critical at the moment but I will help out my family with childcare and see friends while following social distancing. The other things will happen in time after we have seen the infection rate curve and the impact of other peoples behaviour on it. We all have to decide what is important to us. 

Stubod

Frightening statistic on radio just that over 82% of all Covid deaths are those aged over 70. I do feel for the younger generation that may perceive they are being unfairly penalised to protect the older generation. (ie  loss of jobs and incomes). The only practical solution may be to relax rules for certain age groups and maintain them for others? Not sure if there is ever going to be a simple solution until either a vaccine or "heard immunity"...

LHW99

Anonymous101 said:

Agreed. I think due to the level of infections we've seen here the most likely scenario is that it becomes endemic. Which is fine if you're fit and healthy, think heard immunity, but perhaps not if you're one of the unlucky ones in a risk group.

The thing is, once there is true herd immunity, it works by ensuring there are relatively few left to catch it and pass it on, hence those who cannot get that immunity (because catching it is dangerous in this case) have a much reduced chance of being in contact with an infective person.

It's how vaccination works for the small proportion for whom the jab would be dangerous (impaired immune systems etc).

Sea_Shell

Anyone else finding that their OH is actually enjoying the lockdown, as it gives them the perfect excuse not to have to visit family!!   

Bravepants

Sea_Shell said:

Anyone else finding that their OH is actually enjoying the lockdown, as it gives them the perfect excuse not to have to visit family!!   

I'm afraid I'm THAT OH. I'm enjoying the peace and quiet compared to the utter chaos that was pre-lockdown! And long may it continue!   Seriously though, I find it a time for calm reflection and a good chance to slow down, although I am still working full-time from home, I don't have to scurry around the countryside bounding from meeting to meeting; and getting away from the grim, soulless office is great. I've stressed and worried about my prospects and career ever since I was a teenager and nearly half a century later I'm enjoying the break from it all. Silver lining and all that.